Bedstead-fastening



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

`CHAS. C. COOLIDGE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HARRINGTON AND COOLIDGE.

BEDSTEAD-FASTENING.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,339, dated May 7, 1850.

To all whom, t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. Gooi,- IDGE, of Boston, in the county of Suolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and accompanying drawings, letters, figures, and references thereof.

Of the said drawings, Figure l, denotes a top view of my improved bedstead. Fig. 2, is an end elevation of it. Fig. 3, is a longitudinal, central and vertical section of it. Fig. t, is an inner side view of the pawl and ratchet arc, which is applied to the windlass and each post thereof, and for the purpose of not only preventing back rotation of the windlass but of confining it to the post. Fig. 5, is a rear view of the said pawl and vratchet arc.

In the said drawings A, A', A2, A3, represent the four posts o-f a Wndlass bedstead; C, being the head board and D, the footl board.v E, is the head board rail, and F, the foot board rail or windlass; G, and H, being the side rails which are to be rmly fastened at their ends to their respective posts.

I, I, I, I, &c, are long bands of thin spring steel, or other proper metal arranged at equal distances apart parallel to one another, and to the two rails Gr, H, they being placed between the said rails. One end of each of these strips is fastened firmly to the windlass head rail Il, while the other end thereof passes wholly or partially around, and is secured to the windlass foo-t rail F. A ratchet arc of teeth K, is secured to each end of each windlass rail, and rises somewhat, (say about an inch,) above the curved surface of the rail as seen in the drawings. The said arc of teeth operates in conjunctionwith a pawl L, which 'is fastened directly above it to the inner side of that post immediately adjacent to it. One of the said pawls is applied to each post, and it turns freely on a screw M, passing through it, and into the post. Below this screw and to the pawl, a lip N, is fixed to or made to project down from it, and by and against the side of the arc of teeth; the said lip being intended for the purpose of holding or securing the post to the windlass rail.

VI am aware that it is common to make a bed foundation of parallel strips or bars of wood or metal of a rigidity which would render them practically incapable of being wound upon the windlass of a bedstead, and unwound therefrom as often as occasion might require.

I am also aware that an entire cloth sacking has been used with a windlass and lacings. All such contrivances are liable to many objections both on account of cost and in their use, to which my improvement of using strips of exible metal is not subject. Besides this the strips of flexible metal render the foundation or support of the bed elastic where elasticity is wanted, and as they have no lateral connections except at the windlasses, there is not that liability of sagging that the ordinary cloth or metallic sacking is subject to. Besides this advantage they present no shelter for vermin and a bedstead can be made with them much cheaper than it can with the ordinary canvas sacling and lacings.

What therefore I claim is The lip N, in combination with a pavvl and ratchet are substantially in the manner and for the purpose as described; and when the bedstead bottom is made of the said flexible strips having such a flexibility as to enable them to be readily wound upon the windlass and unwound therefrom as stated. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my signature this 27th day of July A. D.

CHAS. C. COOLIDGE. Witnesses: MELZAR F. HoBBs,

R. H. EDDY. 

